This Spooky-Cute Puzzler Serves as the Excellent Substitute to Frightening Flicks

Not each autumn fright adventure must frighten gamers. Starting with beloved classics for example Scooby-Doo to charming series like Over the Garden Wall, many autumn-inspired staples provide fun without requiring increasing anxiety. Additionally, a expanding collection of eerie-charming titles featuring spooky themes, but not the truly terrifying degree of terror. Gloomy Eyes was released in the fall, and stands as an excellent cozy choice to the deeply scary games of this year.

A Unique Collaborative Solo Quest

Described as a solo collaboration brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes unites a living-impaired child known as Gloomy and a human girl called Nena as they begin an adventure to bring the sun back to their dark, dark environment. Their appearance is similar to collectible figures combined with the puppets from a stop-motion animation. Their fair-toned and tired-looking appearance is influenced by the visual style of Burtonesque cinema, and the narrative is a quintessential all-ages journey. The pair forms an strong friendship over the duration of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena strives to show to her religious guardian that, you know, maybe living-impaired beings can be friendly.

Creative Problem-Solving Features

This unique label comes about from the game’s environmental puzzles. Once Gloomy and Nena meet, you’ll swap among the budding companions to overcome obstacles and progress through the stages. Since he's not alive, Gloomy is unable to traverse through the illumination of a lamppost, while Nena will get snatched up by wandering undead without a lamp is shone on them.

They must work in tandem — in practice, gamers operate them together — to complete stages. Nena may move or temporarily shut off lamps to create passages for Gloomy, while the open-brained youth will use his zombie strength to rearrange items in the surroundings, opening up paths for Nena.

Engaging Level Design

The brain-teasers bring to mind a touch of The Gardens Between, in the way the areas are suspended, diorama-like structures that the camera moves across in sync with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ settings are very enjoyable, guiding the friends around a amusement park and through a haunted house, including other places. The game includes a “diorama view” option that permits you to zoom out and rotate the areas, both to appreciate the artwork and look for routes that may not have been clear.

Minor Issues and Complete Experience

Here lies one of the sole problems with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other titles with a static view, occasionally it's confusing where the heroes can and cannot go. You may need to simply collide with a few random items to determine which ones are interactive, as clues aren't consistently provided.

However, those slight challenges don't hinder of a ghostly-charming good time. Gloomy Eyes is relatively brief, with about several hours worth of challenges. Advanced areas blend together minor stealth and action elements with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes advances to a satisfying — and slightly unexpected — ending.

Accessibility and Summary

Those avoiding the terror of fear-inducing releases ought to experience Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Switch console, PlayStation 5, computer, and Xbox, and is available at a reduced price for 25% off on online stores.

The spooky-cute adventure is available on several consoles and delivers a delightful alternative for fans looking for Halloween fun without the terrifying moments.